Caroline Alexa McBride

Caroline Alexa McBride, president and founder of McBride Capital Campaigns and Events, focuses on connecting the business community with the world of charitable giving. She uses her vast network to link those "who have" with those "who need." McBride does this by producing and managing fundraising events which are more than just fun parties, but a great way to unite people for worthy causes.

Her fundraising career started accidentally during her undergraduate studies at Loyola Marymount University where she solicited donations for the school while earning a BA in Political Science. She was literally forced into the position because it was the only on-campus job that students who did not receive financial aid were allowed to apply for. After serving as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar while earning her MA in International Relations at Universiteit van Amsterdam in The Netherlands, McBride returned to her native Southern California where she worked as a political fundraiser for city, state and national campaigns.

In 2002, McBride relocated to New York City and joined the Fund Development team at Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families where she continues to parlay her concern for foster children with her fundraising experience. Donations have increased dramatically due to her efforts and during the 2007 campaign she helped raise over $1.5 million for the foster agency. McBride has played an integral role in the success of "ARTrageous," an annual event involving famous artists, celebrities, high society families and foster children.

McBride believes that the key to being a successful fundraiser, is knowing who your diverse donors are and being able to communicate with them. Hence, keeping up with the latest trends, current events, newest restaurants and hottest soirees is vital. According to her, when conversing with a potential donor, it is important to be able to relate with them on a level that they

are familiar with. Be mindful of the fact that many donors will not be available on weekends during Hamptons season, do not lose patience when one of your committee members is unreachable for two weeks because he/she is vacationing in St. Barth's, and NEVER call a donor working in hedge funds on a bad market day!

Now residing in both New York and Los Angeles, McBride continues to advocate activism through volunteerism and supports many local and national charities as well as organizations that aid American troops currently serving in the Middle East.

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